Stephens Street water main project to start

ROSEBURG, Ore. – The southbound lane of NE Stephens Street between Isabell Avenue and Newton Creek Road will be closed overnight for about seven months when a water transmission pipe replacement project begins Monday, March 11.

The project will exchange about 4,100 linear feet of 20-inch-diameter steel water transmission main pipe installed in 1934 with new, 24-inch-diameter pipe.

“It’s replacing aging infrastructure. It’s reached the end of its useful life,” said Roseburg Public Works Design/Construction Manager Ryan Herinckx.

Work will take place from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. Monday through Friday and is expected to be completed by the end of September.

During the construction crew’s working hours, the southbound lane of NE Stephens Street will be closed and flaggers will route vehicle traffic through the work zone. Electronic signs will be posted on the roadway to notify motorists of project hours.

As part of a long-term project to replace 4.5 miles of aging water transmission pipe primarily in Stephens Street from the Water Treatment Plant to the Reservoir Hill Complex, the fourth phase is replacing 20-inch-diameter steel water transmission main pipe with new, thick-walled, 24-inch-diameter ductile iron pipe.

The City Public Works Department has contracted with Cradar Enterprises of Roseburg to perform the replacement.

The project’s first phase from the Water Treatment Plant to Taft Drive was done in 2013 and the second phase from Taft Drive to Hooker Road was completed the next year. The third phase began Nov. 1, 2021, and wrapped up a year later. The project was called for in the City’s water system master plan.

“We’re replacing such an old, undersized pipe. And this is our main supply from the treatment plant to the main reservoirs,” said Public Works Director Dawn Easley. “It’s going to be a great project when it’s all said and done.”

The City appreciates motorists’ understanding and patience throughout the project, and asks motorists to use caution when traveling through the work zone.

For more information, call the Public Works Department at 541-492-6730 or email pwd@cityofroseburg.org.